Estimation of Heading Date using Mean Temperature and the Effect of Sowing Date on the Yield of Sweet Sorghum in Jellabuk Province

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), compared to traditional crops, has been evaluated as a useful crop with high adaptability to the environment and various uses, but cultivation has not expanded owing to a lack of related research and information in Korea. This study was conducted to estimate heading date in ‘Chorong’ sweet sorghum based on climate data of the last 30 years (1989 2018) from six regions (Jeonju, Buan, Jeongup, Imsil, Namwon, and Jangsu) in Jellabuk Province. In addition, we compared the growth and quality factors by sowing date (April 10, April 25, May 10, May 25, June 10, June 25, and July 10) in 2018. Days from sowing to heading (DSH) increased to 107, 96, 83, 70, 59, 64, and 65 days in order of the sowing dates, respectively, and the average was 77.7 days. The effective accumulated temperature for heading date was 1,120.3°C. The mean annual temperature was the highest in Jeonju, followed in descending order by Jeongup, Buan, Namwon, Imsil, and Jangsu. The DSH based on effective accumulated temperature gradually decreased in all sowing date treatments in the six regions during the last 30 years. DSH of the six regions showed a negative relationship with mean temperature (sowing date to heading date) and predicted DSH (R2 = 0.9987**) calculated by mean temperature was explained with a probability of 89% of observed DSH in 2017 and 2018. At harvest, fresh stem weight and soluble solids content were higher in the April and July sowings, but sugar content was higher in the May 10 (3.4 Mg·ha-1) and May 25 (3.1 Mg·ha-1) sowings. Overall, the April and July sowings were of low quality and yield, and there is a risk of frost damage; thus, we found May sowings to be the most effective. Additionally, sowing dates must be considered in terms of proper harvest stage, harvesting target (juice or grain), cultivation altitude, and microclimate.